Frank J. Ney fonds

Frank J. Ney was born in London, England, on May 12, 1918. He served in the R.A.F. and R.C.A.F. as a pilot during World War II. Ney was a resident of Nanaimo from 1946 until his death in 1992. He was Mayor of Nanaimo from 1968-1984, and 1987-1990, and a Social Credit MLA for Nanaimo from 1969-1972. Ney formed the Great National Land and Investment Corporation in 1964, was involved in real estate (as President of Nanaimo Realty Ltd.), and promoted the economic development of Vancouver Island. He participated in many local and provincial associations. Ney was Chairman of the Nanaimo Centennial Committee (1967), responsible for organizing the inaugural Great Bathtub Race between Nanaimo and Vancouver. He was the first Chairman and Admiral of the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society, established in 1968 to continue the bathtub race as an annual event. Ney was made Freeman of the City of Nanaimo in 1984. He died November 24, 1992. Fonds consists of records documenting Ney's political life (as Mayor of Nanaimo and MLA), in local business, and with local community groups in Nanaimo. Fonds includes Ney's personal appointment books, correspondence (including some as Mayor of Nanaimo and as MLA), legal documents, and speeches; MLA files; records created and accumulated by Ney as Chair of the Nanaimo Centennial Committee, 1967, (including records of the Empire Day Celebration Committee, 1958), as Chair of the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society, as President of Great National Land and Investment Corp., and as President of Nanaimo Realty Ltd.; and, photographs depicting Ney's participation in political and community activities and in land and real estate development. Fonds is arranged in six series: 1) Personal records; 2) MLA records; 3) Nanaimo Centennial Committee; 4) Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society; 5) Great National Land and Investment Corporation; and, 6) Photographs. Title based on the contents of the fonds. Series and subseries descriptions and file list available. Selected photograph descriptions available on public database. The records were transferred to the Archives after Ney's death from Ney's office at Nanaimo Realty and from his home.

Series consists of personal records documenting Ney's participation in business and community affairs in Nanaimo. Series includes records created by Ney as Mayor of Nanaimo, MLA, President of Nanaimo Realty Company, and President of Great National Land and Investment Corporation. Series is arranged in five sub-series: 1) Appointment books; 2) Certificates and passport; 3) General correspondence; 4) Speeches; and, 5) Ephemera. Title based on the contents of the series. Sub-series descriptions and file list are available.

Sub-series consists of Frank Ney's passport (1971), his "Certificate of Freeman" awarded by the City of Nanaimo (1984), and a Certificate of Appreciation from the Government of BC (1992). Title based on contents of sub-series. File list available.

Sub-series consists of miscellaneous correspondence and attachments (including memos and reports) to and from Frank Ney as Mayor of Nanaimo, as MLA for Nanaimo, as President of Nanaimo Realty Ltd., and as President of Great National Land and Investment Corporation. Correspondence and reports relate to Ney's election campaigns, real estate and economic development, and activities of the City of Nanaimo. Also included is some personal correspondence with friends and various notes, memos and other reference material. Title based on the contents of the sub-series. File list available.

LOCATION: E-07-03 Box 2

Series 1. Sub-Series 4.

Speeches [textual record]. -- 1969-1979. 4 cm of textual records.

Sub-series consists of notes for and transcripts of speeches made by Frank Ney in his capacity as Mayor and MLA. Title based on contents of the sub-series. File list available.

Sub-series consists of Christmas cards from various dignitaries, blank Christmas cards custom-produced for Ney, letterhead, election posters, printed story cards distributed by Ney's Nanaimo Realty Ltd., and a printed poem in honour of Mayor Ney. Also includes an audio disk (45 rpm) of the song "The Great Nanaimo Bathtub Race", and a Polish newspaper with a photograph of Ney on the cover. Title based on the contents of the sub-series. File list available.

MLA records [textual record]. -- [1969-1972]. 12 cm of textual records. Series consists of subject files maintained by Ney as MLA for Nanaimo, including correspondence, memos, reports, newspaper clippings, and other reference material. Title based on the contents of the series. File list available.

Series consists of records created or accumulated and used by Ney as Chairman of the Nanaimo Centennial Committee (1967). Records include primarily correspondence relating to the organization of the inaugural Bathtub Race across Georgia Straight. Series also includes information relating to the 1958 Centennial and Empire Day celebrations, along with correspondence to the City of Nanaimo relating to the establishment of the 1967 Centennial Committee. Title based on the contents of the series. File list available.

Series consists of records created or accumulated and used by Ney as Chairman of the Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society (established in 1968). Series includes correspondence, list of race participants (1968), race rules, certificates, and other material relating to the organization of the annual bathtub race between Nanaimo and Vancouver. Title based on the contents of the series. File list available.

LOCATION: E-07-03 Box 4

Series 5.

Great National Land and Investment Corporation [textual record]. -- 1964-1983. 4 cm of textual records.

Series consists of records relating to Ney's Great National Land and Investment Corporation, including a prospectus (1964) for the issuing of debentures, and annual reports. Title based on the contents of the series. File list available.

LOCATION: E-07-03 Box 4

Series 6.

Photographs [graphic material]. -- 1948-[199-?]. Ca. 277 photographs.

Series consists of photographs primarily depicting Ney's activities as Mayor of Nanaimo, MLA, and Admiral of the annual bathtub race between Nanaimo and Vancouver, as well as various photographs of land and real estate development in the Nanaimo area. Title based on the contents of the series.